Your Work Matters
“When it was evening,
(The Gospel According to Matthew 14: 15-16 NASB)
the disciples came to Him and said,
“This place is desolate and the hour is already late;
so send the crowds away,
that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
But Jesus said to them,
“They do not need to go away;
you give them something to eat!”
- Do you ever feel frustrated by the actions of others?
- Do you become overwhelmed when you feel as if you truly have too much work?
- Does the sense that your work is unimportant ever cross your mind?
- What does the Bible say about us & about the work the FATHER has given you & me to do?
As an educator, an instructor of young adults, many times, people have said: “Oh, your work must be easy. Just create the syllabus, assign the tasks, grade the students’ essays, teach the content, and understand at this level—the work is on them.”
When my students struggle, sometimes I find myself leaning toward the comments heard from the world. Just put in your time; the work Is on them. However, something my husband said last evening impacted me to better understand my role in their completion of their university degree. Even though his words are not shared here, it is paramount that we remember—Our work matters!
- Our work matters to those we serve &
- Our work matters to the LORD.
The LORD was clear to His disciples that evening when His disciples came to Him. The location was far from the city, and the large crowd of men, women, and children had followed Jesus to this desolate area to be spiritually fed. JESUS UNDERSTOOD HIS PURPOSE FROM BEGINNING TO END—HE WAS TO SERVE HIS FATHER!
The TEACHER was clear to His disciples that evening when His disciples wanted to send away the crowds. They (Jesus’ followers) desired to rest from the long day and hoped the crowd would be sent to the villages to find food because in doing so, the disciples knew they would receive rest from their work too. JESUS HAD COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE—FROM THE MOMENT THE FATHER SENT HIM TO WALK UPON THE EARTH!
The MASTER was emphatic in what His disciples needed to do. He knew His Purpose was far greater than simply nourishment for their stomachs. JESUS KNEW THE REAL REASON HE HAD BEEN SENT FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH; JESUS KNEW HOW THE WORLD NEEDED A SAVIOR!
Even when we are tired, even when we just really want to rest, & even when we think we have nothing left to give of ourselves—JESUS KNOWS OUR WORK MATTERS TO THOSE WE SERVE!
Our enemy (the devil) wants us to slack, to not care, to do the bare minimum. Our enemy (Satan) wants us to not seek the LORD’S guidance, to not follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, to not care about the work the LORD has given us to do. Our enemy (the already defeated enemy of our Father) wants souls to remain lost, to keep our witness silent, to squash God’s love in the world where we live and work.
But Jesus said to them,
(The Gospel According to Matthew 14: 16 NASB)
“They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!”
JESUS KNEW HIS PURPOSE FOR COMING WAS SO MUCH GREATER THAN FEEDING THE HUNGRY CROWD; THEREFORE, JESUS KNEW HIS DISCIPLES’ WORK WOULD LEAD THE CROWD TO SEE JESUS!
Pray, asking God to reveal the impact your work is making for His Kingdom. Then, pray, asking God to strengthen you for the work He has given you to do. Pray with thanksgiving when you see souls come to know Jesus as their Savior because of your work the Lord has given your hands to accomplish. Finally, thank Jesus for allowing you to have a small part in
HIS KINGDOM WORK.
“Whatever you do,
(The Letter of Paul to the Colossians 3: 23-24 NASB)
do your work heartily,
as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”